Smart’s COVID symptoms significant

Texas coach Shaka Smart said Monday he had “significant” symptoms while in extended isolation from his team and family after testing positive for COVID-19 as he and the No. 6 Longhorns prepare for a showdown with No. 2 Baylor.

“This was not a walk in the park for me, not saying it has been for anyone else,” Smart said ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup of the top two teams in the Big 12. “When you go through that kind of stuff, it certainly swirls some things around your mind.”

Smart returned to the team Sunday and will be on the bench against Baylor. He didn’t detail the extent of the symptoms he experienced, but appeared frustrated that Texas played last week’s home loss to No. 9 Oklahoma when the Longhorns were missing their head coach, two starters and a key reserve because of COVID-19 protocols.

Pitt

Saturday’s against Florida State was postponed, the ACC announced Monday, taking a game off the schedule that had been added to it just five days earlier. The decision came after a positive COVID-19 test, as well as subsequent contact tracing and quarantining, within the Seminoles’ program.

It’s the second time a game between Pitt and Florida State has been postponed this season. The two sides were originally scheduled to play Jan. 9 before that game was postponed due to positive tests within the Seminoles’ program.

The ACC did not announce a makeup date.

N.C. State

Elissa Cunane scored 16 points in her first game in nearly a month because of COVID-19 protocols, and No. 4 N.C. State beat the nation’s top-ranked team on its home floor, topping No. 1 Louisville, 74-60. Jakia BrownTurner and Jada Boyd also scored 16 points apiece and Raina Perez added 15 for the Wolfpack (12-1, 7-1 ACC), who used a stifling defense to hand the Cardinals (16-1, 9-1) their first loss.

Northwestern

Veronica Burton scored 20 points with 15 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the No 22. Northwestern women (10-3, 8-3 Big 10) to a surprising 69-57 win against visiting No. 11 Ohio State (10-2, 6-2). Lindsey Pullian added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Drake

Tremell Murphy scored 30 points and No. 25 Drake (17-0, 8-0 Missouri Valley) rolled past visiting Illinois State (5-12 2-9), 95-60, in the Bulldogs’ first game as a ranked team in nearly 13 years.